ORGANISERS of a Birmingham festival who say they made a #34,000 loss today called on city councillors to foot the bill.

ORGANISERS of a Birmingham festival who say they made a #34,000 loss today called on city councillors to foot the bill.

Members of the Bangladesh Community Trust say they are out of pocket after hosting the Bangla Mela in July.

The Mela was switched from Small Heath Park to Handsworth Park amid council concerns over safety, following heavy rain and floods.

Now BCT chief executive Abdul Azad has sent letters to district directors in Perry Barr, Aston, Handsworth Wood, Lozells and East Handsworth, Soho and Nechells asking them to pay up.

One letter stated: "All of your councillors attended and supported the event publicly - we have enough evidence to prove this - and they even admitted enjoying the event and wishing it all the best.

"Therefore we are requesting them to support it financially."

The bill for the event is #34,811.25 which includes #7,000 for security and #6,000 for advertising.

Mr Azad said: "Some of those councillors said loudly in front of thousands of people they were supporting the Mela and they wanted to see that it was a success.

"But it seems when they go back to the council chamber, it is the opposite.

"This year we made a massive loss and it was the council that made us shift from one place to the next. They should help us pay for it."

The Bangla Mela,which features Bangladeshi cooking, clothing and entertainment, has been running in Birmingham since 2006.

It was due to be held in Small Heath Park, but organisers were told a month before the event they had to switch to Handworth Park due to safety concerns following the floodings and heavy rain.

Birmingham City Council today rejected claims that the change in venue had resulted in the loss, saying the authority had contributed to the event.

Chief Executive Stephen Hughes said: "We gave a wealth of support to Bangla Mela and it is estimated that over 400 hours of staff time was allocated to assist in the organisation of this year's event which had to change venue due to situations beyond our control.

"Equipment and resources were given at vastly reduced rates that could not be achieved from the commercial sector, and Handsworth Park was offered free of charge.

"We are confident that the assistance Bangla Mela has received from officers in the events section, parks service and events logistics has at all times been thorough and comprehensive and every resource available has been used."